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India, Pak pledge serious dialogue on Kashmir issue
Both sides decided to restore embassies' strength to 110. They also agreed to reopen Karachi and Mumbai consulates. Quick Take
India and Pakistan vowed on Monday to hold sustained and serious dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue, which has bedevilled ties for more than half a century and sparked three wars.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said that while Sunday's discussion was on peace and security including Confidence Building Measures, Monday's deliberations veered around Jammu and Kashmir.
"Both sides put forward their proposals and there was a free and extensive exchange of views," Sarna said responding to queries from newspersons on the discussions on Jammu and Kashmir.
On whether the two delegations discussed reduction of troops on the borders, he said, "a number of proposals have been exchanged. Naturally, they are going to be studied."
Asked about India's concept of a 'final' settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, he said, "I don't want to project what is their and our stand... Both sides are engaged in a process of composite dialogue and Jammu and Kashmir is one of the issues. Both sides are resolved to sort out all issues bilaterally and peacefully."
He said the issue of terrorism came up for discussion in Monday's meeting and it was underscored that terrorism was not good either for India or Pakistan and both countries should make efforts to remove the "scourge from our midst."
"It was felt that the peace process should not be allowed to be overshadowed by terrorism," Sarna said.
Karachi, Mumbai consulates to be reopened
Both sides decided to restore with immediate effect the strength of respective High Commissions to 110 each.
A joint statement issued after two-day foreign secretary-level talks said the two sides had also agreed in principle to reopen their Consulates General in Mumbai and Karachi.
Sarna said modalities for reopening of the consulates in Mumbai and Karachi would be worked out by the two Governments.
Simla agreement to be implemented
The nuclear neighbours also expressed their determination to implement the 1972 Simla agreement in letter and spirit.
A joint statement issued after the two-day Foreign Secretary level talks said "they reiterated their commitment to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and their determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit".
Notification before flight-testing of missiles
India and Pakistan also agreed to pre-notification of flight-testing of missiles.
Announcing this at a press conference at the conclusion of Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries, Sarna said the two sides had agreed to conclude an agreement to this effect.
India and Pakistan also agreed to promote a stable environment and work towards strategic stability, Sarna said.
Both countries sought regular working level meetings among all nuclear powers to achieve this objective, he said.
They also decided to work towards implementing the comprehensive confidence building measures, the spokesman said.
Steps to be taken for early release of civilian prisoners
Giving details of the agreements, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said steps will be taken for early release of civilian prisoners.
The two sides also decided to evolve a mechanism for release of all fishermen as also deal with the problem of fishermen unintentionally transgressing into each other's territory.
Six of the eight issues in the composite dialogue process including Siachen, Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek and economic cooperation would be discussed at official level between third week of July and first week of August.
Asked about the proposed bus link between Srinagar and Muzzafarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), he said "the proposal is still on the table. This is not a technical level meeting so we did not go into the technicalities of working out each of the proposal".
Describing the talks as "very positive and constructive", Sarna said "this is a good beginning, a hopeful beginning and a beginning of a process".
The two foreign secretaries would meet again in the third week of August in Islamabad to review the progress achieved in the composite dialogue and prepare for the meeting of the foreign ministers, which would immediately follow, the statement said.
